Coiling apparatus for metal strip



Jan. 28, 1958 M. LANGEN coILING APPARATUS Fon METAL .STRIP 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 j Filed July 22. 195s l I N V EN TOR. MA Tlf/'As Z Aw 65A/ Twig/vifs Jan. 28, M. LANGENA coILxNG APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP Filed July 22, 1955 e sheets-sheet 2 Q .2o 25 FlgJf-r JNVENmR, 251.9 K Mara/n.5 Avvia/V md/MM M. LANGEN COILING APPARATUS FOR Jan, 28, 1958 v METAL STRIP shams-sheet` 5 Filed )my 22, 195s INVENTOR. MA rfv/hsl nua-1V www f7 raRA/XS Jan. 28, 1958 M. LANGEN `'2,821,348

COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL STRIP Filled July 22, 1953- 6 Sheets-Sheet 4` vJe 39 40 42 26 Fig INVENTOR.

Mary/As ,QNWA/ BY Y Trad/vir;

Jan. 28, 1958 ,n M. LANGEN 2,821,348

,COILING APPARATUS FOR METAL ,STRIP Filed July 22. 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Mn Tfr/A.; 4a/cnf M. LANGEN COILING APPRATUS FOR METAL STRIP Jan. 2s, 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 22, 1953 INVENTDR. Mor/fm JAA/65M MMM United States Patent O fCOILING APPARATUS non METALSTDRIP .Mathias Langen, Vllarkstone, England, .assigner .to The 'Loewy Engineering Company Limited, London, England,.a British company VApplication July 22, :1953, Serial No. 369,604 *Claims priority, application Great 'Britain July 31, 1952 101Glaims. (Cl. M2-78,4)

The coiling of strip in modern continuous strip rolling mills ,presents a number Vof problems which are mainly .due to the high speeds-at which the strip 'issues "fromthe and .also to the Igreat weight `of coils to'be handled.

A type of coilergenerally in use lfor ceiling `hut strip comprises a number.y of guide rollers which are ,distributed around a centrally disposed driven mandrel and backed by ,pressure means urging them towards the centerof .the mandrel. The guide rollers are further supported on retractable carriers, so Ythat ,the lguide rollers can gradually recede as the coil Yis builtup. The initial `position .of ,the guide rollers relative to the mandrel isadjustableso that the radial clearance between the Aguide rollers and .the mandrel .can be `varied in accordance with .the thickness of "the strip to libe coiled. Themandre'l of .suohacoiler "is collapsible Ain order to enable the iinished coils to be discharged, and comprises, to this end, a number .ofsegments which are movable relative to a ,core which forms .the centerrportion-.o'f themandrel.

'lThese cilers are operated in such a vway ythat .the guide rollers are pre-set at a distance from the mandrel` so .that the radialclearanccbetween .them and ,thefmandrel is `somewhat Y.larger than the .thickness of the 'strip `to be coiled. The coiler isthen started with the mandrel rotating at a linear speed, preferably .slightly higher .than rthe delivery speed of the strip. A. lengthof .strip .is then lfedin a substantially tangential .direction into .andalong the :circular space formed between mandrel .and .guide 4rollers. VDue to the .centrifugalaction .to which itis vsubjected whilst travelling in the space, the strip will lne-urged 'in close contact with the guide rollers. These will ,deect the .strip as itpasses by, intoa .circular shape, y.and .thus-.form .the rst layers of the coil.

:Itis mainly during this stage Vof the-ceiling operation that -theshortcomings of existing coilers rhave become apparent. .'lhese ,are .due .to :the following causes:

As Jthe strip .travels along .the gap, .the guide rollers are lsuccessivelylpushed aside to make .room fornthestrip. Ehe movement imparted to the guide `rollers is vaninstan- .taneousone involving airapid acceleration of .therollers, `as well `as .of their carriers. This .acceleration l.in :turn produces inertia ,forces which cause ,the guide ,rollers to reboundbackand forth Withgreat violence `whilst .the .strippasses by. This (results in .the `leading .end,.of A,the .strip 4being hammered .into .those portions of 4the `strip intermediate ,the leading end .and .the guide .rollers .as 5 the mandrelis non-resilient .and thereforeacts like an anvil. AIn -this way,. indentations Vor 4fkinks ,are formed ,in the -frst few layers o'f the strip, although with ,graduallydecreasing depth. Furtherhammering of the strip ,takes ,place .each time one of the guide 'rollers rides ,over such la kink.

"Th'isintense andrepeatedhammering actionofthe guide rollers islialile to mar the strip to fa .considerable .extent vso that its forward end'has oftenrto'bescraped. .'Moreover, thehamrncring` increases materially thewear onthe lguide rollers and .their carriers and, Hin,part`i ..1i1a1',`their pivotalliks whereby the .needfifor-maintenancefis correspondingly'-inereased.

Cil

Patented Jan. 28, 1958 Damage .to the 4strip :is .likely `to .be :particularly :heavy nin those Arcases Where the `strip is considerably .narrower :than fthemandre'l and .the guide rollers. The area of the istrip fwh'ichis subjected `to'the hammering forces is then -rcomparativelysmalh andthe fspecic impact load on the strip thereby correspondingly increased.

The sharp kinks Vhammered .into the strip, apart from marring its surface, have the additional disadvantage of `hinderingthe lea'ding-.end of the ystrip from sliding .forwardrelative itoithe .nextdayer `of the coil. lfzthis move- `ment of the leading fend fis impeded, the .tight wrapping vof the strip around :the mandrel becomes .uncertain and diicult, :and the strip Lmay `lslipfon the mandrel. Ifrthis occurs after the guide rollers have been Withdrawn, fthe 'ibuilding-up of the coil ymay suierinas muchas its individualllayersare axially displacedirelative .to each other, .or, Jinlother words, telescoped.

::It:.is.an object of the present invention .to provide an .improved :coiling apparatus for .metal strip comprising .guide .rollers `which are distributed Aaround `a .centrally -'disposed.mandrel.and which rareurged towards-the axis of `the mandrel, and inwhich the `various shortcomings .set forth in the foregoing are avoided.

iSeveral forms of the invention will now .be described `by `way:ofexamp'le with reference Ato the accompanying i'drawings in which:

Fig. s1 .is :a ldiagrammatic .illustration of a coiling apparatus according to .the .prior art,

. 2 to 5 inclusive ,are Vsections through -one form of aicoiler accordingtothis invention, in various 'stages .of a-acoilingioperation,

Fig lishowi-ng `the coiler empty and at .'rest,

Eig. Slat the beginning :of azcoiling operation,

;Fig. :4 itowardsfthe endy of a Vcoiling. operation,

Fig. 5 after termination of a ceiling operation, with a coil ready .for ,'.dischargefrom the coiler,

iEig. :6 4Sis aan axial isectionthrough the coiler of Figs. 2 `ttot't, alongitheline 4VII-Vlot,Fig. 2,

fig. 7 ris aspartial vaxial :sectionthrough the coiler of Figs. 210,5, :along the line 'VH-VII `of Fig. 2,

Figs yand .9 fare radial :sections through another embodiment of the coiler according to the invention, `showing'fits anandrehat .different stages of .its operation,

Fig. 58 showing the mandrel ratxrest,

Fi'g. 9;at.'the:rbe.ginningof the ceiling operation,

Figs. 16, 11:1 ,and 12H-are radial `sections .through a still -further'fembodiment of a coiler according tothe .invenftion,;showingits .mandrel Aat dilerent stages of its operation,

Fig. 10 showing the mandrel at rest and .with the fshoesnotiexpanded,

,Fig. .1,-1showingfthemandrel at rest, with the shoes fexpandcd,

Fig. l2 showingwthesmandrel duringits rotation.

'lheacoiler shown in Figs ,2:to 7 vinclusive is Asubstaniially y@of/the isame type as ,that of JFig. ,1, the parts i715, V@16, 17, -l9fand20rbeingcom1non toboth coilersand hav- .ing -the same farrangement fand ,tunction rAs in .the Acase/zot' Fig. ,.Luseveral components :of :the coiler, which :arefofiminorrimportance, are not shown.

{Inth'ese figures `.the centrally disposed driven-mandrel -i'sv-indicatedat IIS the Aretractable guide rollers l'are illus- V'tr-atediat i16. CIfhe segments 'I9 byvhich the mandrel 15 may fhe `collapsed to vpermitremoval of thefiinished coil V 'therefrom Vare mounted around a central core V17. VEX- pansion of the segments 19 is effected by wedge shaped spreaders' 20 which can be.v entered between adjacent v segments 19.V 'theseparts are ofrconventionalconstruction wll known infihe art and areillustratetL for example, `nU1iited States PatentNo.r 2,693,919.

'.The vmechanism forexpanding and .collapsing .the .seg-

ments 19 with the aid of the spreaders 20, is shown more in detail in Fig. 6.

The spreaders which extend along the segments have at their under-sides a series of cams 27 of substantially saw-tooth shape adapted to engage rsimilarly shaped cams 28 on axially movable racks 29. The latter can be moved simultaneously through a common crosshead 30 and an actuating rod 31 which passes through the mandrel 15 to a point outside the coiler' for the attachment of mechanical or automatic operating means, not shown here. To enable thc segments 19 to collapse, the actuating rod 31 is moved to the right in Fig. 6 whereby the cams 27 and 28 are disengaged from each other and the spreaders 20 freed to drop back into inoperative positions. It is to be understood that the means for actuating the segments can have any other suitable form than that shown and described here.

In accordance with the present invention, the coiler of Figs. 2 to 7 has a number of shoes 2S arranged in slots 25a at the periphery of the segments 19 of the mandrel. These shoes are of comparatively light weight and are therefore capable of yielding readily to centrifugal action upon rotation of the mandrel 15. Normally, the shoes are seated in their slots and held in non-protruding position relative to the mandrel by such means as light springs 43 which are in engagement with headed pins 44 (Fig. 7).

The shoes Z5, when subjected to centrifugal action, are flung out from their seats in protruding positions relative to the mandrel 15. Their radial movement is limited by 'stop rings 26 (Fig. 6), arranged at either end of the mandrel and attached to parts 34 and 36, which are separate from the segments 19 and, therefore, do not take part in their expansion or collapse. The stop rings 26 project axially over shouldered ends of the shoes and the latter are, when in non-protruding position, spaced apart from the rings by a distance corresponding to the permissible outward travel of the shoes under centrifugal action.

The rings or stops 26 are here so arranged that they arrest the flung-out shoes 25 in a radial position which corresponds to that taken up by the segments 19 upon their expansion. Thus rthe flung-out shoes and the expanded segments can form together a continuous cylindrical surface on which the strip is wound up as coiling progresses.

The part 34, to which the lefthand ring or stop 26 is attached, is secured by means of bolts 33 to the core part 17 of the mandrel and terminates in a hollow driving shaft 32 for the mandrel supported in a housing 35. The part 36, to which the righthand ring 26 is attached, is in the form of a drum which forms a continuation of the mandrel and covers the outwardly projecting parts of the mandrel.

in order to prevent the segments 19 from yielding to centrifugal action and thus becoming prematurely expanded, springs 37 are provided (Fig. 6), which tend to draw the segments 19 towards the core part 17 of the mandrel. These springs are housed in anged casings 38 seated in the segments 19 and held in compression by headed bolts 40 which are threaded into the core part 17. The parts 37, 38 and 40 are accommodated in radial bores of the segments 19 which are covered by bars 41, so as to avoid any markingvof the strip, the latter being clamped down on to the segments by means of straps 42. The springs 37, in addition to preventing a premature expansion of the segments 19, aid in the collapse of these segments after the spreaders 20 have dropped back.

The coiler according to Figs. 2 to 7 is operated as follows:

After the guide rollers 16 have been preset at such a distance from the mandrel that the radial gap between 'these rollers and the mandrel is slightly larger than the 'thickness of the strip to be coiled, the coiler is started up, a linear speed being imparted to the coiler which is a Alittle higher than that of the strip. A length of strip S is then entered in a substantially tangential direction into the radial gap between the guide rollers 16 and mandrel 15 through suitable channels or other guide means (not shown here). Whilst travelling in this gap, the strip is subjected to centrifugal forces, which carry the strip into close contact with the guide rollers 16, whereby the strip is deflected so as to form convolutions around the mandrel, the pressure acting on the guide rollers from behind ensuring that this contact is maintained so long as the guide rolls are in position.

During this stage of operation-illustrated in Fig. 3- the shoes 25 are flung out by centrifugal action until their shouldered ends meet the rings 26, whilst the segments 19 are kept for the time being in their collapsed position. The shoes protrude then over the surface of the segments 19, thus forming the only supports for the strip within the interior of the coil. As the shoes are of relatively light weight, they can yield to a certain extent, if pressed inwards. The support given to the strip by the shoes is therefore of an elastic nature, and

any impacts coming from the guide rollers will be cushioned and their hammering action, together with all its detrimental consequences, eliminated.

As will be seen from Fig. 3, the shoes 25 are gradually forced back towards their seats by the wrapping action of the strip. After the irst few layers of a coil have been formed in this manner, the segments 19 are expanded by means of the spreaders 20 and will form then with the flung-out shoes 25 a continuous cylindrical surface on which the strip is supported during the further progress of the coiling operation, the shoes being firmly reseated in their slots. This stage of the operation is shown in Fig. 4. As no sharp kinks are formed in the strip, its leading end can slide forward without any diiculty after expansion of the segments, whereby a tight wrapping of the strip around the mandrel is assured, and the danger of the layers of the coil being telescoped is avoided.

After the strip has been tightened on to the mandrel consequent on the expansion of the segments, the guide rollers 16 are retracted. Coiling is continued until the length of strip is wound up, with the Coiling torque being transmitted on to the strip by the mandrel. The coiler is then stopped and the segments 19 caused to collapse after retraction of the spreaders 20, so that the finished coil can be axially removed from the coiler in the usual manner by such means as a stripper-plate, not shown here.

The coiler according to Figs. 8 and 9 is generally similar to that described before, in so far as it comprises a number of guide rollers, not shown here, corresponding to the rollers 16 of the embodiment according to Figs. 2 to 7. The coiler is further equipped with a mandrel consisting of a core part 117 and segments 119, the latter being adapted to be expanded by means of spreaders and movable racks 129. Shoes 125 similar to the shoes 25 previously described are arranged in slots at the periphery of the segments 119 in a manner which allows the shoes to be Hung out by centrifugal action, suitable means, not shown, `and corresponding to the rings 26, being provided for limiting the outward movement of the shoes 125. These stop means are so arranged that they will arrest the outward movement of the shoes only after their radial distance from the centre of the mandrel 115 is greater than that of the expanded segments 119. The shoes, when ung out by centrifugal action, will thus protrude over the surface of the expanded segments. This makes it possible for the segments 119 to be expanded before a length of strip is entered into the coiler and even whilst the mandrel is still at rest, as shown in Fig. 8.

Upon rotation of the mandrel 115, the shoes 125 are ung out in the same way as the shoes 25, leaving their seats in the slots, so that they can act as elastic supports for thestrip during the formation of the first layers of the coil. This stage of operation is shown in Fig. 9. As coil- `ing progresses, the shoes 125are gradnallyiforced :back "onto their seats due tothe wrapping action fof the strip. The latter lis thereby rmly tightened on .tothe mandrel whichcan vthen transmit the coiling torque during vthe remainder of vthe coiling Qoperation, -fth'e :guide rollers being retracted las in the case of the coiler according to Figs. 21o 7.

After `coiling is terminated, the segments i119 are Vcollapsed upon actuation'of the 'spreaders E120, sot-.that the coil can `be removed Afrom'the mandrel in `an axial direction as usual.

The mode of operationof the coiler according toFigs. 8 and 9 has `certain advantagesoverthat ofthe -coiler -acoording to Figs. 2 to "7. ln the latter case, `itis 'necessary for `the expansion of the segments to be timed rather closely 'with respectto the build-up of therstlayers vof the coil. In the former coiler, this is notfrequired as Vthe segments can 'be expanded lbeforerotatio'n of the mandrel begins. For the same reason, the coiler accordingto Pigs. 8 and 9 does not have to have means preventing premature expansion of the segments due toi-centrifugal action, and the springs correspondingdo .the springs 37 of the coiler according to Figs. 2 to 7, if provided, can be made considerablywealier, `or leftout altogether.

The coiler according-to Figs. `l-(l to 'Tlfhas no 'collapsible segments, and its `mandrel 215 is formed by a non-expandable drum, tshoes l225'of T-shaped section being accommodated in vslots 'at the periphery ndfthat drum. These shoes can 'be ilung out under centrifugal action upon rotation of'themandrel 2X5 whereuponfthey leave their seats and canthen act'aselasic supports for thestripin the same manner as the shoes 25 and 125. Associated with the shoes 225 are mechanical means for expanding them, the means comprising axially extending bars 229, taking the place of the racks 29 of Fig. 6. Both the shoes and the bars are formed with cams of saw-tooth shape, corresponding to the cams 27 and 28 respectively. The bars 229 may be actuated by means similar to those provided for the actuation of the racks 29. The coiler is also equipped with guide rollers, not shown here, which are similar to those described before as regards their ar rangement and function.

When this coiler is at'rest, as shown in Fig. l0, its shoes 22S are in their innermost position. Before coiling is started, the shoes 225 are expanded by means of the bars 229 as shown in Fig. l1. Upon rotation of the mandrel 215, the shoes are ung ont under centrifugal action leaving their seats in the slots and acting as elastic supports for the strip. This stage of operation is shown in Fig. 12. Whilst coiling is in progress, the shoes 225 are gradually forced back on to their seats, due to the wrapping action of the strip, whereby the strip is firmly tightened to the shoes 225 and the coiling torque transmitted by them, the guide rollers being retracted as soon as the tight wrapping of the strip has been accomplished. After coiling is terminated, the bars 229 are actuated and the shoes 225 thus allowed to collapse; the coil can then be removed from the mandrel 215 in an axial direction, as usual.

The T-sectifon of the shoes enables an almost continuous cylindrical surface to be formed by the shoes alone.

The coiler according to Figs. l to 12 has the advantage of a comparatively simple design, due to the absence of segments. This makes it possible to increase the thickness of the driving shaft for the mandrel so that deflections of the latter, due to bending loads, can be greatly reduced. This :again obviates the necessity for an outboard bearing for the mandrel in many cases where such a bearing would otherwise have to be provided.

It will be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments. Variations can, for instance, be made in the arrangement of the shoes and in the means 6 for limiting their outward movement, as well `as in numerous other irespects.

What :is claimed is:

1. .A coiling apparatus .for :metal strip, vcomprising a centrally disposed'driven mandrel having -slotsthrough lthe periphery thereof, retractable guide rollers :arranged aroundfsaid mandrel forfguiding a :strip Yto .bev-coiled, vand elements disposed on the .mandrel around its tperiphery and extensible through said `zslots lin the ,periphery `of :said mandrel, :said elements yielding-to -centrifugal action upon rotation -of said @mandrel whereby :they are flung :out towards said guide rollers .and contact the .metal :strip being coiled on said mandrel.

2. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, `comprising .a centrally Idisposed driven mandrel having fslots "therein, retractable guide rollers yarranged around tsaid .mandrel for -guiding a strip to Vbefcoiled, andv shoes arrangedatfthe .periphery .of said .mandrel .and extending `through :said `slots in the .peripheryfof said man'drelin :zt/direction substantially parallel to ithe axis .of said mandrel, said shoes yielding tocentrifugal :action :upon irotation of `said man- 'drel whereby theytilung outatowardsasai'd gui-derolllers and contactzthe metal strip being `coiled fonsaid mandrel.

'3. A coiling `apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel having fslots therein, retractable guide .rollers arrangedaroundfsaid .mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, andshoes normally `seated in slots arranged `at the periphery of :said Lmandrel .and extending Vthrough said slots vin the periphery `of `said mandrel .in `a direction substantially parallel V:to the axis ofsaid mandrel, said shoes yieldingtoscentrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel, whereby they are ung out from their seats in said slots towards said guide rollers and contact the metal strip being coiled on said mandrel.

4. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a. centrally disposed driven mandrel having slots therein, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, and shoes normally seated in slots arranged at the periphery of said mandrel and extending through the strip supporting surface the periphery of said mandrel in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said mandrel, said shoes yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel, whereby they are dung out from their seats in said slots toward said guide rollers and project beyond the periphery of said mandrel and into contact with the strip being coiled, said shoes being of such a height that they do not protrude beyond the surface of said mandrel when in their seated position.

5. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel having slots through the periphery thereof, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, and shoes seated in slots arranged at the periphery of said mandrel and extending in a direction `substantially parallel to the axis of said mandrel, said shoes yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel, whereby they are dung out from their seats in said slots towards said guide rollers, said shoes being of such a height that they protrude over the surface of said mandrel when in their seated position.

6. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel having slots through the periphery thereof, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, elements disposed on the mandrel around its periphery and extending through the strip supporting surface of the periphery of said mandrel, said elements yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel whereby they are iiung out towards said guide rollers beyond the periphery of said mandrel, and stops for arresting the outward movement of said elements.

7. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel having slots through the periphery thereof, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, shoes arranged at the periphery of said mandrel and extending through the periphery of said mandrel in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said mandrel, said shoes yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel whereby they are ung out beyond the periphery of said mandrel towards said guide rollers and into contact with the strip being coiled, and stops for arresting the outward movement of said shoes, said stops being in the form of rings which project axially over the ends of said shoes, said shoes when at rest being spaced apart from said rings by a distance corresponding to the permissible outward travel of said shoes.

8. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel composed of a number of expandable segments having slots therein, means for expanding said segments, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, and elements disposed on said mandrel segments and around their periphery and extending through their periphery, said elements yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel whereby they are flung out beyond the periphery of said segments towards said guide rollers and into contact with the strip being coiled.

9. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel composed of a number trifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel whereby they are flung out beyond the periphery of said segments towards said guide rollers and into Contact with the strip being coiled, and means for preventing premature expansion of said mandrel segments due to centrifugal action.

10. A coiling apparatus for metal strip, comprising a centrally disposed driven mandrel composed of expandable segments having slots therein, means for expanding said segments, retractable guide rollers arranged around said mandrel for guiding a strip to be coiled, elements disposed on said mandrel segments and around their periphery and extending through their periphery, said elements yielding to centrifugal action upon rotation of said mandrel whereby they are flung out beyond the periphery of said segments towards said guide rollers and into contact with the strip being coiled, and spring means for preventing premature expansion of said mandrel segments under centrifugal action.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 772,559 Edwards Oct. 18, 1904 1,492,954 Biggert May 6, 1924 1,825,657 Dukes Oct. 6, 1931 2,268,125 Nash et al. Dec. 30, 1941 2,274,681 Fletcher Mar. 3, 1942 2,578,953 Tyrrell Dec. 18, 1951 2,585,999 Bunch Feb. 19, 1952 2,628,789 Maxwell Feb. 17, 1953 

